By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson cheer gym is a part of a national contest for a cheer gym makeover from The Open.
"We had to send in a video of our gym," said Midwest Express Cheer coach Lauren Galyon. "Some of the parents spoke in the video about the coaches and how we as coaches, we're family. We are a family-owned gym, but our goal is to be able to help people who can't afford cheer afford cheerleading."
Midwest Express Cheer is one of ten gyms from across the country vying for your vote. You can vote once per 24-hour period.
"That would give people free choreography," Galyon said. "We would get free uniforms. We would get free equipment. Equipment's expensive. It's hard to replace equipment because it's so expensive and with us trying to help athletes save money for tuition and stuff, it's hard for us to be able to buy equipment."
Galyon teaches cheer squads from ages 3 to 18. You can vote once per 24-hour period.
"Our girls are like family," Galyon said. "We treat them like family. We want what's best for them, like if they were our sisters. If they're having trouble at school, if they're having trouble anywhere, they know they can come and talk to us. We feel like it's more than just a sport."
The gyms with the top three votes will go to the finals.